General frequently asked questions about memory stick
1. Do Memory Stick PRO media work in all Memory Stick compatible products?
Memory Stick PRO media can be used with Memory Stick PRO compatible devices only. PCs can accept this media through the use of a Memory Stick PRO compatible PC card adaptor or USB reader/writer. Compatibility with this media can also be implemented in products in some categories through firmware or software upgrades.
2. How can I format (initialize) Memory Stick media?
All Memory Stick media are pre-formatted for optimal performance before leaving the factory. You can use your newly purchased Memory Stick media immediately. If you wish to re-format a Memory Stick at a later date, follow the formatting directions for the device with which you are using Memory Stick media. Caution Do not try to format Memory Stick media using the standard Windows format tool (found in the "My Computer" menu). When re-formatting Memory Stick media, all previously stored data will be erased. To prevent the loss of valuable data, be sure to make back-up copies before re-formatting.
3. How much content can a 1GB Memory Stick PRO media hold?
A single 1GB (940MB available) Memory Stick PRO media can contain any of the following examples.
- 360 JPEG images with 5-megapixel quality (fine mode compression) = digital images equivalent to 10 rolls of film.
- Approximately 24 minutes of DVD quality video
- Approximately 460 minutes of MPEG4 (280Kbps) moving images
4. Is it possible to use Memory Stick Duo media in a slot for the standard-size Memory Stick without any problem?
Yes. By attaching the supplied or optional adaptor to the media, the size of Memory Stick Duo becomes the same as that of the standard-size Memory Stick media.
5. Is the Memory Stick PRO format a proprietary Sony technology?
The Memory Stick PRO media format was developed jointly by SanDisk and Sony Corporation.
6. My PC only supports standard-size Memory Stick media. Is it possible to access data stored on Memory Stick Duo media?
By using a Memory Stick Duo adaptor, Memory Stick Duo media can be used in PCs with standard-size Memory Stick media slots.
7. What are the dimensions and weight of Memory Stick Duo media?
Standard-size Memory Stick media measures 50.0 (W) x 21.5 (H) x 2.8 (D) mm (1.97 x 0.85 x 0.11 in). Memory Stick Duo media, designed specifically for use in ultra-compact and wearable devices, is only approx. one-third the volume and half the weight of standard-size media. It measures 31.0(W) x 20.0(H) x 1.6(D) mm (1.22 x 0.79 x 0.06 in).
8. What are the dimensions of Memory Stick media?
Measuring 31.0(W) x 20.0(H) x 1.6(D) mm (1.22 x 0.79 x 0.06 in), Memory Stick Duo media is only approx. one-third the volume and half the weight of standard-size media.
9. What is ATRAC3?
ATRAC3 compresses audio data to half that achieved by the ATRAC technology originally developed by Sony for MD, while maintaining the same superior sound quality. To put in another way, it can compress data to about 1/10th that of CD data. The ATRAC3 technology is used not only in MDLP long-time recording and playback modes but also for Memory Stick, making it possible to record music data equal to one CD album on one 64MB MagicGate Compatible Memory Stick media
10. What is ATRAC3plus?
ATRAC3plus is an enhanced format of the ATRAC3 technology. It increases the compression ratio to about 1/20th that of CD data without causing deterioration in audio quality, making it possible to record up to about 5 hours and 50 minutes of high-quality music data on a 128MB media at a bit rate of 48kbps.
11. What is MagicGate?
"MagicGate" is a copyright protection technology based on file encryption. Encrypted content cannot be accessed until mutual authentication between the media and compatible device is successfully completed.
12. What is Memory Stick (MagicGate/High-speed data transfer compatible) media?
For use with a broad range of compatible products, this media is also compatible with "MagicGate" copyright protection technology and is capable of high-speed data transfer. Currently only Memory Stick* and Memory Stick Duo* support ATRAC3plus (including ATRAC3) secure music files.
*MagicGate/High-speed data transfer compatible
13. What is Memory Stick Duo?
Memory Stick Duo is a smaller-sized Memory Stick media designed for ultra-compact and wearable devices. By using the media with a dedicated adaptor, Memory Stick Duo can be used in standard-size media slots of other Memory Stick compatible products.
14. What is Memory Stick media's access speed?
The maximum theoretical access speed of Memory Stick PRO and Memory Stick (MagicGate/High-speed data transfer compatible) media is 160Mbps. The actual speed may vary and is dependent upon the design of the host device.
15. What is Memory Stick PRO?
Memory Stick PRO is an advanced media format that incorporates various capabilities and expandability, such as high capacity, high-speed technology and data protection technology. All the advanced technologies, working in concert with optimized Memory Stick PRO format-compatible devices, enable various applications including real-time recording and playback of high-resolution moving images. The combination of the media of this format and compatible devices brings a new level of high-quality digital playback and capture, enabling users to view, listen to and enjoy incredibly rich entertainment. The Memory Stick PRO format offers Memory Stick PRO media and Memory Stick PRO Duo media.
16. What is Memory Stick-ROM?
This refers to read-only package media containing dictionaries, games, maps or other data. Data for Sony's electronic dictionary systems is already available* in this format.
* Product availability varies depending on region.
17. What is Memory Stick?
Memory Stick is an IC recording media that uses flash memory. Since it records various types of digital content and allows sharing of content among a variety of digital products, it can be used for a broad range of applications whether for business or personal use.
18. What is the access speed of Memory Stick PRO media?
Both Firewire and i-Link are high-speed connectivity following the IEEE-1394 standard but Firewire has 6-pin while i-Link has 4-pin.
19. Which products can be used with Memory Stick (MagicGate/High-speed data transfer compatible) media?
Almost all Memory Stick-compatible products, including Memory Stick PRO compatible devices can be used with both standard- and Duo-size* Memory Stick (MagicGate/High-speed data transfer compatible) media.
* Requires an adaptor for use in standard-size slots. Some products have media slots that can accommodate either standard- or Duo-size media without using an adaptor.
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